What Do You Know?

Do you claim to know a thing or two? Do you know the day or time of the next stock market crash? Did you know the largest living organism is a mushroom in Oregon? Having a wealth of knowledge is valuable and a great tool for all of us but having certainty is freeing.

The definition of know is to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty. Some things are facts and other things are unknown. Today, we have an abundant amount of knowledge and information at our fingertips but how do we arrive at what is truth. Do you rely on the internet for truth? On the opinions and chatter of others?

The word know seems to be the overriding theme in today’s passage. It was used approximately thirty times. From the reading I understood Jesus knew the hour had come. Jesus knew who was going to betray him and he knew Peter was going to deny him three times. Jesus knew who had sent him and understood why he was sent. He knew the Father loved him. Jesus also knew the world would not accept him but he chose to die for us knowing there would only be a few who would believe.

Throughout the passage we have the disciples not knowing or realizing the fulfillment of Scripture. Even Thomas, who spent time with Jesus, doubted and had a difficult time understanding. Many times the disciples questioned Jesus. The disciples had a hard time understanding the “big picture”. Jesus knew we would wrestle with the truth. Jesus explained to his disciples, and to us, that he would send an Advocate which would guide them, us, into all the truth. The Holy Spirit would tell them, us, what was yet to come. We can give the disciples credit. They did have a moment of certainty when they knew it was Jesus who appeared walking along the shore while they were fishing. I think that this moment they had longed to be in His presence once again.

My question for you is do you KNOW and BELIEVE with certainty that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name?

Jesus wants us to know Him beyond just knowing Him as a Good Teacher or Lord. Who do you say Jesus is? What do you know beyond a shadow of doubt and with all certainty? If you answer nothing, that may be true, but I can tell with certainty that Jesus loves you and desires a relationship with you.